Happy Thanksgiving from Hips For Hire

5 CommentsWednesday • November 24, 2010 • by Imei

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It is Thanksgiving Day (for those of us in this part of the world who observe it). I can’t say I’ve had many traditional Thanksgiving Days with my family. Since none of us were really keen on turkey, the more memorable ones were spent hosting graduate students far away from home, and serving fried noodles and sushi right along with a small turkey just so it looked like an American Thanksgiving meal.

This year is likely to be no exception. Being single again is an extraordinary transition, embedded with both wonder at my independence, and a nervous excitement about the next steps. My home will soon be filled with boxes ready for packing, and although my physical move will be within 10 miles of my present location, it’s the existential changes and the minutia of small but intricate details that will march by with little or no notice, much like the way children grow up and suddenly become someone you never noticed in quite that way.

Don't let the turkeys get you down

While it’s been a full year since I launched this project, I had no idea where it would take me. I’m grateful that I didn’t listen to the dissenters who said it was a dumb idea in which no one would ever take interest. If I didn’t launch it, I would not have come up with the idea of creating a haven and community for artists that will include a mini-gallery, studio space, and hosting space for travelling artists. I would be packing my things and moving into a apartment, with limited choices about how to merge the business as well as the creation of artistic projects together in a more cohesive, functional, and physical way.

When I heard some initial negative feedback, I wondered about the aspects which would be true. It’s hard to own your own business. It’s not for everyone. It takes a toll on your closest relationships and friendships. Not everyone will understand. What I’m grateful for is the support of friends and a personal resolve instilled by my family to see something through to its end.

I figured, if there was no interest, no following, and no promotion of this project by others, I would take it as sign that Hips For Hire wasn’t filling a need. I am thankful this year that many of YOU out there have shown me that my project does fill a need because I named the need and came up with my own solution, one that doesn’t require me to fill in everything myself. Instead, I get to put in what I’m good at, and so does everyone else involved.

If belly dancing for the SeaTweetDrive in a santa hat makes people laugh while they contribute toys for a charitable organization, then I’m all for it! If it gets bands like Hejira one more gig because Hips For Hire and Chris Pirillo helped to promote it, it serves its intended purpose. I’m so grateful that a simple idea, even as the name gets laughs from people like DJ Sir Mix-A-lot, raises money for artists and for organizations, could be a good thing that has me bowing in gratitude this Thanksgiving.

If I were to count on my fingers and toes how many people have helped me this year with my project in small and big ways, I would need to borrow some appendages! But for the short list, my thanks to my family, Amalia Kozloff, Rebecca Uleyman, Chris Pirillo, Melanie Farmer, Reza Malayeri, Atta Dawahare, Bill Wolford, Barb Evans, Joe Kennedy, Mollie Singh, Shirin Sherkat and Ed Hernandez, Parker Whittle (and Becky!), Anita Ross, Tracy Helming, Kristin Marshall (who converted my website to WordPress in a flash and gave a lot of encouragement), and DJ Chuang (who has believed in me for nearly fifteen years despite my worst FAILS). Thanks to new friends and partners, like MyPartini.com and MySeattleNightOut.com, who have noticed me and shown the kind of collaborative spirit I hoped existed in Social Media, events, and promotion. These people are essentially “turkey chasers”, who never let me give up or give in. There are many other names, and you know who you are. Thank you.

What are you thankful for? Share your stories here, and keep inspiring us.

P.S. Like to see yourself as a Kook? A new app, Mixamajig, will be released soon (come back here for more info about this fun app). It’s so easy, kids can do it!. Play the game, earn more Kooks packs, and get Kooky!

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Posted in: Art, belly dance, dance, entertainment, music

Tagged with: performance art, Seattle, Thanksgiving, woman

5 Responses to “Happy Thanksgiving from Hips For Hire”

1. 

   Wally

   11.24.2010

   Hey,
   Hips for Hirebseems like a great idea and I like your blog. It has some useful information for Seattle dwellers. This mixamajig app looks great too. I’d love to hear more about it.
   Also, have you tried Din Tai Fung in Bellevue yet? I notice you claimed there is no good Chinese food in Seattle but if you find time to go across the lake, I would highly recommend Din Tai Fung. It’s my favorite restaurant in Taipei and they opened a new one here. I went the other day and it was great. But get there early, the lines are crazy at peak hours. Lucky us.

   Reply
   • 

     Imei

     11.24.2010

     Thanks for the comments!

     I’ll be releasing a video and blogpost about Mixamajig very soon (the app has yet to be released).

     I have not tried Din Tai Fung yet, but yes, I go across the pond all the time. Are they on Twitter? I’m also going to Taipei in April 2011, but that’s a long time to wait for good Chinese food. Why the Seattle side doesn’t have any really good, authentic Chinese food is a real mystery.

     Reply
2. 

   Kristin

   11.25.2010

   Thank you for the shout out!!

   I’m rooting for you and am looking forward to HFH blooming and evolving. You’re an inspiration! Happy Thanksgiving!

   Reply
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     Imei

     11.25.2010

     You’re welcome! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

     Reply
3. 

   Reza Malayeri

   11.25.2010

   Happy Thanksgiving Imei ;-) thank you for being a part of our first Magic Carpet Ride. We had an amazing time, learned a lot, and made a difference in the fight to beat cancer. Thank you for being a great friend and confidant. I’m so happy for your new studio and all the exciting things you have planned. Keep going strong. Your future is as bright as ever!
   XO
   Reza

   Reply